Gates and Bloomberg donate $1.75 billion to fight tobacco use

As many as 1 billion people this century could die from tobacco-caused …

As many as 1 billion people this century could die from tobacco-caused illnesses. With the goal of combating the tobacco use epidemic, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates have announced plans to collaborate to help governments in developing countries trying to implement proven tobacco-control policies. Bloomberg's Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, which started in 2005 with a $125 million commitment, supports projects that educate and advocate for changing how tobacco is used and perceived. The Bloomberg Initiative will be extended with a $250 million four-year commitment, while the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will invest $125 million over the next five years.

"Tobacco-caused diseases have emerged as one of the greatest health challenges facing developing countries," said Gates Foundation cochair Bill Gates in a statement. "The good news is, we know what it takes to save millions of lives, and where efforts exist, they are working. We are pleased to join with Mayor Bloomberg, who has made the fight against tobacco a priority in New York City and around the world."

The fight against tobacco is based on the MPOWER package, a proven set of six tobacco-control strategies: monitor tobacco use and the policies to prevent it, protect people from tobacco smoke, offer people help to quit tobacco use, warn about the dangers of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and raise taxes on tobacco. The MPOWER package was released by Bloomberg and World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan earlier this year. This is only the beginning of the fight; currently, less than 5 percent of the world's population is covered by any of the MPOWER interventions.